Mt. Zhongshan Scenic Area

Mt. Zhongshan Scenic Area is located on the Mt. Zijinshan. It covers five main sightseeing areas, including Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, Linggu Temple and Toutuoling Scenic Area. Here are the general introduction:

Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is the mausoleum of the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) Zhu Yuanzhang. Located in the eastern outskirts of Nanjing, the total area of the mausoleum is 1,700,000 square meters (about 420 acres). Construction began in 1381 and took more than 30 years to complete. Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is the largest mausoleum in Nanjing and one of the largest in China. After undergoing many changes only the brick construction remains and all the wooden parts have been destroyed by fire. The position of the mausoleum was chosen by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang himself. The position along with the structural style had a great affect on the construction of later mausoleums.

The scenery around Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum is extremely beautiful. Plum Garden in its south, Zhongshan Arboretum in its southwest and Sea World in its southeast are all worth visiting.

Transportation:
a. Take Bus No. 20, 315 or Tour Bus No. 3 and get off at Mingxiaoling stop;
b. Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Mingxiaoling Muxuyuan station.

Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen

Dr. Sun Yat-sen was the founder of the Republic of China. He is respected as the Father of China. Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen is located in Nanjing, facing south. There is a vast plain in front of it and green mountains behind it. Construction of the mausoleum began in 1926 and was completed in 1928. The mausoleum comprises a set of archetectures. From the lower to upper sections there are Bo'ai Fang, mausoleum way, mausoleum gate, stele, stone stairway, platform, memorial hall and grave. The whole construction is well ordered showing strength and solemnity. Pine trees surround the mausoleum. The view here is beautiful and majestic.

Inside the memorial hall there is a statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen made of Italian white marble. On the wall of the hall there is a basso-relievo of the revolutionary deeds of Dr. Sun. The grave has a vault and marble balusters around. A white marble statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen lies on a marble coffin. His remains lie beneath this statue.

The mausoleum, as a whole, with its sea of trees and red bricks, will give you a deep impression.

a. Take Bus No. 9, 20, 315 or Tourist Bus No. 1, 2, 3 and get off at Zhongshanling stop;
b. Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Zhongshanling Xiamafang station.

Linggu Temple

Linggu Temple is located in the east of the Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen with an overall area of 2,036 square meters (0.5 acre). The surroundings are very attractive. Maples and roburs can be found everywhere around this temple. Every year in late fall, the colorful sceneries are pleasant to eyes and make people fully relaxed.

There is a Wuliang Hall (hall without girder) in Linggu Temple. Built over 600 years ago, it is constructed purely of bricks - using no wood at all, hence its name. The entire structure is firm and solid.

Admission Fee: CNY 35
Transportation:
a. Take Tourist Bus No. 2 or 3 and get off at Linggu Temple;
b. Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Linggusi Zhonglingjie station.

Zijinshan Observatory (Mt. Zijin Observatory)

Zijinshan Observatory (Mt. Zijin Observatory) was built according to the last wish of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. The importance of this observatory is that it is the first one designed by Chinese people, combining the characteristics of both the east and the west. Zijinshan Observatory once was called the Best in East Asia due to its superior facilities. Zijinshan Observatory is not only the cradle of Chinese modern astronomy but also an exhibition hall showing the splendid fruit of ancient Chinese astronomy. There are still replicas of astronomical apparatuses of the Ming (1368 - 1644) and the Qing (1644 - 1911) dynasties.